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Kenya: A one-year-old nurses’ union has been rocked by leadership wrangles that have spilled over to the courts.
A power struggle has erupted with the National Executive Council demanding Seth Panyako, the secretary general of Kenya National Union of Nurses, vacates office immediately.
In a case filed under a certificate of urgency before Industrial Court Judge Justice Linnet Ndolo, the eight-member council wants the court to compel Panyako to vacate office as spelt out in his suspension letter.
The council served Panyako with the suspension letter last Thursday and alleges that he has refused to vacate office.
He is accused of imposing an affiliation of the union with Francis Atwoli’s Central Organisation of Trade Union without seeking the mandate of the council.
Moreover, he is accused of single handedly running the affairs of the union, which the council says is contrary to their constitution.
NEC, through its chairman Josphinus Musundi, say Panyako had contravened chapter 7 of the union’s constitution.
“The court has necessary jurisdiction to issue the reliefs sought by NEC acting for the Kenya National Union of Nurses,” the council says.
The council members are said to have discussed the conduct of Panyako and deteriorating management of the union.
In the documents before the court, two thirds of the members proposed Panyako’s suspension. They say that the team found his management style wanting.
Council’s affidavit
“Actions by the respondent (Panyako) have been wanting, unconstitutional and are meant to derail the activities and management of the union,” said Musundi in his affidavit.
The executive committee wants the court to compel Panyako to vacate the office and also have the Registrar of Trade Unions to confirm the changes made on May 13.
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